BOUNDARY DISPUTE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 16, 16 December 1932, Page 10

BOUNDARY DISPUTE.

BOLIVIA AND PARAGUAY. Received December 16, 11.40 a.m. WASHINGTON, Dec. 15. World support of a new plan to stop the unofficial but sanguinary Grand Chaco war between Bolivia and Paraguay was sought by a commission of neutrals to-day, and a proposal for separation of the troops and arbitration of the boundary dispute was cabled to the two Governments.

Tho Gran Chaco is in the very centre of South America and its torritory of about 116,000 square miles has boon a source of disputo between Bolivia and Paraguay ever since they became self-governing Powers. The district is partly enclosed by tho rivers Paraguay and Pilcomayo, tho latter marking the frontier of Argentina, which also at times has claimed an interest in tho region. Tho population is sparse, consisting a small number o,f whites and people of mixed races and a larger number of Indians. The area is rich in natural resources, the soil affords excellent pasturage for cattle, there is much wooded country, and from the quebracho tree tannin is oxtractod and sent to Paraguay. Chlorido of soda is found and deposits of petrol arc reported to exist. Bolivia contends she has always maintained that her territorial rights extend-to tho Paraguay River, a claim which Paraguay has denied.